Scrap the boys AND girls

Got both these challenges done again this month...woohoo!

The Scrap the Boys challenge for August is to use flowers on a boy layout.
I made some out of old book paper and buttons.



The Scrap the Girls challenge is to use photos that aren't so ladylike and also to use a 'messy' medium such as ink, Glimmer Mist or paint.
Mind you my photo of this layout is a little skew whiff also ;P



Check out both blogs for some eye candy and to give the challenges a go yourself.

Happy Scrappin'
S
xx

August 12th

For the past 6 and a half months I've been dreading today but now it has come around I feel a sense of peace. I feel that now the day has come I can finally have closure. I feel that the past 9 months have been an open chapter of a book of my life that was never going to have a happy ending. But at least now I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Today is the day our baby was due.

The past 7-8 months have brought so many changes. Not only did I lose my baby, I lost the job I loved so much, I lost a lot of respect and I lost my way in the world more than once.

Although I don't know why God ever gave us that baby and took it away just as quick, I realise He must have had His reasons and one day I'll know what they were. I do know that the breakdown I suffered because of it will eventually make me a stronger person. Not just yet, it's all still a bit raw.

Maybe it happened so I could resign from work and spend more time with the kids? Things were so hectic, I'd drive home from work pick up which ever one had sport training that night and literally fly back out again. I truely think I was running on adrenalin and you just can't live like that. So leaving work has given me the chance to slow down, just a little bit.

Maybe it happened to make me a stronger person for the job I was going to pursue in the long run? Most of you know I've always wanted to work in the funeral industry and a couple of months ago I was given that opportunity. I was worried that it might've been too soon but I rolled up my sleeves and got in there like I'd been doing it for years. From preparing the deceased to attending the actual service, I rocked it. That particular place didn't quite work out though as after the day I was told it was only an 'observation' day and they weren't going to pay me. WTF? I worked 5 and a half hours, ALL hands on deck and they called it observation? You look with your eyes not your hands. Cut a long story short, at that time of my life I just wasn't strong enough to argue so I let it go. One day I'll give it another shot.

I'm just very grateful that although I lost myself and my way in the world more than once over the past months, I'm beginning to find myself again. It hasn't been an easy slog, it's been a very long road but at least now I can read the signs along the way. Who knows where they'll eventually lead me?

One thing I do know that does give me great comfort is knowing that there is another little Angel in Heaven to cuddle when I get there.

Projects and parties

Hi all,
Hope everyone has been well since my last blog post which again was just over a month ago!
Kaszazz and kids have been keeping me very busy so not much time left for anything else really.

At the time of writing this, the little Princess Kiesha Abrahams is still missing. I have been following her case since she disappeared and it breaks my heart. I have my own beliefs as to what has happened to her but I won't share them here. I just hope and pray that she is found alive and very soon as the clock is ticking. Please people, keep your eyes and ears open..who knows something you might hear or see just might help to bring this little girl home.



July was an extremely social month for me and being one who doesn't go out much it certaily took it's toll.
My gorgeous friend had her 40th which was an 'oh what a night' moment. With an 80's DJ there was a lot of dancing and for me this turned out to be an 'oh what a week' recovery! Man was I sore and sorry!! Best night (and next morning) EVER!!



The following weekend I went to a school reunion and FINALLY caught up with my best friend since high school, Cathi. I hadn't seen her for 4 and a half years due to distance so this was a major highlight. Here we are together again at last.



Here is Cathi, Leeanne and I are before we left and it all got too messy...LOL
In our younger years when we used to hit the dance floors we used to get ready here at Lee's so it brought back so many wonderful memories.



We caught up with our mate Greg who is also one of our childhood friends.



Unfortunately I don't have high res. pics of the rest of the photos yet so these are all I can share.
Great night. So good in fact that they've organised another one for the end of October. Can't wait. :)

Sunday night we had a surprise 60th for our dear friend, Cheryl. To say she was suprised is an understatement! Blown out of the water more like it...hehehe
Was a great night and the best Chinese food I've had in a very long time. Was also fun to catch up with some people I haven't seen for a few months. Here she is in all her party gear and after she'd composed herself from the shock..LOL





So it's been party after party and a whole heap of fun catching up with old friends.

I've done a few projects, mostly things for Camp Mojo. We're doing challenges every month leading up to the actual Retreat next July. The first one was a sketch challenge so I thought I'd get the party started with this layout:



The second challenge I was lucky enough to be on the DT for and the challenge was to create two projects using only the colours red, white and blue. To be honest I was a bit worried about this as they aren't usually colours I'd use together but I'm really happy with what I did. The first is a wall hanging of one of our wedding photos.





The second is an ATC using the gorgeous Tim Holtz Distress inks.



I also have two projects in Handmade magazine this month. The first one is an old box I salvaged off my brother in law and turned it into a shadow box wall display. This isn't the best photo of it there's a bit of camera flash but I'm sure you'll get the drift.





The second is a tea cup pin cushion for the magazines High Tea theme.





I've actually had a few projects published in Handmade but keep forgetting to show you so here are a few. This is a phone/IPod sock I knitted:



Some yummy pincushions:





And some wall plaques that again the photos don't give justice too:









I've had a few people ask me for a link to the topiary tree tutorial I did so I'm going to make a permanent link on my page.

Well Michael has just come home early due to the rain and is cooking bacon and eggs so I'm off to have some...hehe
Take care and stay safe,
S
xx